Botswana Summer Encounter - 2017

Michael Poliza

Location:

Maun, Botwana

Starting Price:

$8,056

Number of Days:

10

Explore the "petrified" river valley of Deception Valley in the Kalahari Desert where sporadic summer rains attract a plethora of wildlife; the Okavango filled with general game and predators followed by the diverse and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems. The journey ends at the famous Victoria Falls.

This Exploration reveals the life-filled “summer” season of Botswana (our winter), in prime areas where few people travel. Beginning at the “petrified” river valley of Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the Exploration is specifically designed for the enjoyment of this normally arid desert at its most productive.Sporadic summer rains cause wildlife to migrate into the desert valleys in large numbers, creating a short yet incredibly prolific wildlife-viewing period with high concentrations of desert species and their young. The fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta and its crystal-clear waterways are one of the most fascinating ecosystems on the planet. It is the perfect place for extraordinary wildlife encounters, often from a mokoro (canoe), surrounded by incredible scenic beauty.

2017 Departures: Jan 19; Feb 6; Mar 29; Apr 18, Nov 17; Dec 9

Scroll to the bottom of this page to view a slideshow of this wonderful journey.

Maun, Botwana

Day 1 Maun, Botswana – Central Kalahari Game Reserve DAfter arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide or our representative and fly by light aircraft to the Kalahari Plains Camp airstrip, where you will transfer by road to our camp site, on a game drive transfer of approximately 3 hours. Deception Valley Adventurer Camp

Days 2-3 Central Kalahari Game Reserve B L DWe have specifically allowed for a 3-night stay in Deception Valley; on a journey of this nature and at this time, guests can then have the time to relax and unwind, while at the same time enjoy longer day trips that afford the opportunity to explore the further reaches of the park not normally accessed – overall, ensuring the best possible wildlife experience.

We enjoy extended wildlife game drives (with picnic lunch), taking in the game-rich Pipers Pans area of the Kalahari, as well as the Letiahau and Deception Valleys. Deception Valley Adventurer Camp

Days 4–5 Okavango Delta B L DAfter a light breakfast we depart overland to Maun (approximately 6 hours), after which we fly by light aircraft in the afternoon to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the Delta personified, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal life. Xigera Camp

Days 6–8 Linyanti Concession B L DAfter a light breakfast, we fly north-east to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps, out of which the famous Savute Channel flows.

The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. Full-day excursions with lunch at a scenic setting are a possibility. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare roan and sable antelope, plains game and of course, their predators, the lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus. Linyanti Discoverer Camp

Day 9 Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park B L DAfter a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat. After clearing customs and immigration formalities through the Kazungula border – the point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet – we road transfer to Toka Leya. Toka Leya Camp

Day 10 Livingstone, Zambia BThe grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls. At 1708 meters (5604 feet) wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 103 meters (338 feet) into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.